September 2019

VOLUME LXV

September 2019

NUMBER 9

VOLUME LXV SEPTEMBER 2019 NUMBER 9 Published monthly as an official publication of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.

Jeffrey N. Nelson Grand Master

Contents Grand Master’s Message Grand Master Jeffrey N. Nelson ......................... 4

Michael Burke Johnson Deputy Grand Master and Publisher Box 575 121 Bobs Creek Rd. Crowheart, WY 82512

Address changes or corrections and all membership activity Protection From Devil and Disease: including deaths should be reChristian Talismans and Amulets ported to the recorder of the loSir Knight George L. Marshall, Jr., PGC, KGC..... 7 cal Commandery. Please do not report them to the editor.

What Makes a Man a Christian Knight?

Sir Knight Larry Horath.................................. 14 Sir Charles Warren finds “The Masonic Hall” near the Jerusalem Temple Sir Knight Myron C. Boice, P.C........................ 21

Lawrence E. Tucker Grand Recorder Grand Encampment Office 5909 West Loop South, Suite 495 Bellaire, TX 77401-2402 Phone: (713) 349-8700 Fax: (713) 349-8710 E-mail: larry@gektusa.org

Magazine materials and correspondence to the editor should be sent in electronic form to the managing editor whose contact information is shown below.

Materials and correspondence concernIn Memoriam.......................................................... 5 ing the Grand Commandery state supplements should be sent to the respective Prelate’s Chapel ...................................................... 6 supplement editor.

Features

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation.................17,20

John L. Palmer Managing Editor

Recipients of the Membership Jewel..................... 32

Post Office Box 566 Nolensville, TN 37135-0566 Phone: (615) 283-8477 E-mail: ktmagazine@comcast.net

Beauceant News.................................................... 33

Benjamin Williams Associate Editor

Grand Commandery Supplement........................... 18

Knights at the Bookshelf........................................ 34

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E-mail: ben.kt.1@comcast.net

Cover photo of the gorge leading to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan was taken by the editor.

Grand Encampment web site: www.knightstemplar.org www.knightstemplar.org/KnightTemplar/archive

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Grand Master’s Message

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here is the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross conferred? Who prevented the Jews from continuing to build the Second Temple following the death of King Cyrus? When entering or retiring from a Council of the Red Cross, you are to advance to the center of the chamber, face the East, and give the sign.

The sign alludes to: A, B, C, or D? These are but a sample of the questions from our new Templar Education and Development correspondence course. If these questions pique your interest, please access the Grand Encampment’s website for information on how you can enroll in the first course, Templar Ritualist.

We believe that today’s Templar is thirsting for knowledge, further light or enlightenment if you will, about our beautiful ritual and rich history. We are committed to slaking this thirst through efforts such as the Templar education course.

The first course, Templar Ritualist, consists of thirty multiple choice questions and an essay question for each order. It is anticipated that future courses will center on areas of study such as ancient and medieval Templar history, modern Templary and the Grand Encampment, esoteric Templary, Church history, and theology. The field of study is endless. The course will also include a bibliography of recommended Templar-related reading, texts, and original source material. Not to give too much away, but a course-specific book is also in development!

Appropriate recognition awards for course completion and excellent scores will be available. Exemplary essays, with the permission of the student, will be eligible for publication in the Knight Templar.

The Grand Encampment’s Templar Education and Development Committee has put a tremendous amount of time and effort into developing this course, and we would like to acknowledge each of them. The committee is composed of Sir Knights Philip Hardiman, Adam Hathaway, Michael Kastle, George Marshall, Jr., Richard VanDoren, and Piers Vaughan, under the direction and leadership of Sir Knight Benjamin Williams, who, in his spare time, is also northwest department commander.

We encourage you to review the course syllabus on the website. We hope you find the course not only educational but enjoyable as well. Good luck.

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Jeffrey N. Nelson, GCT Grand Master

september 2019

Archived issues of the Knight Templar magazine can be accessed on the web at http://www.knightstemplar. org/. Then click on the button “Knight Templar” at the bottom of the page and select “Archives.” The archives include an index.

Herbert W. Jorgensen Vermont Grand Commander 1975 Born: September 4, 1928 Died: May 14, 2019

knight templar

Eldon Earl Leitzel Kansas Grand Commander 2003 Born: March 17, 1939 Died: July 8, 2019

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Prelate’s Apartment by

Reverend Arthur F. Hebbeler, III, right eminent grand prelate of the Grand Encampment

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? (James 2:15-16, English Standard Version)

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e as Templars are called to the service and defense of the poor, the sick, the widow, and the orphan. My question for you is simple: How do you fulfill that calling on a daily basis? Do you take positive, affirmative action to clothe the naked or under-clothed or to offer food and nourishment to the hungry? If so, you are doing your job.

What are you doing to help lift that person up so that he or she might be able to care for himself or herself?

All too often, we are really good at talking the talk but absolutely awful at walking the walk. We may toss a few coins in the cup of the woman standing on the corner or send a check to the local food bank, but what are we doing to really help improve the situation in which others less fortunate find themselves? Instead of taking action and becoming involved, we tend to say, either by words or actions, “Well, someone else can do the work. I’ll just support them.”

As we enter the final months of 2019, I encourage and challenge each of you to take a step from the sidelines and become an active participant in our common work and mission—our calling as true and faithful Knights of the cross. Anyone can stand in front of a camera for a “grin and grip” presenting a check. It is time for us to lead by example, enter back into the world, and demonstrate our commitment by active participation in tending to those in need of our care and compassion.

Serve at the local food kitchen. Visit the sick and homebound. Call on the widow (no matter what her age might be). Go and do something, and take a fellow Knight with you, for even our Savior sent His disciples out in pairs. I assure you that doing so will not gain you a shiny star next to your name in heaven, but it will fill your heart with joy and improve and encourage the lives of those whom you have served.

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Protection From Devil and Disease: Christian Talismans and Amulets by Sir Knight George L. Marshall, Jr., PGC, KGC

hile reading through the pose while an amulet can be used for geSeptember/October 2018 is- neric purposes such as protection, avertsue of Biblical Archaeology ing evil, or attracting good luck.

Review (BAR) magazine, I came across Talismans a most interesting article by Dr. Theodore de Bruyn of the University of OtIt may be easiest to discuss talismans tawa titled, “Christian Amulets—A Bit first. The word comes from the Arabic of Old, a Bit of New.”1 With permission, word tilasm, which comes from the anI will be using some excerpts from that cient Greek telesma meaning “complearticle later in the present article. In tion, religious rite.”15 Sir Walter Scott this article, I intend to discuss only tal- wrote an 1825 historical novel set in the ismans and amulets used by Christians, Third Crusade titled The Talisman.4 In although it should be noted that pagan this case, the talisman was a silken bag societies used them as well, and the containing a draught of medicine admintransition to their use by Christians was istered by a Moorish physician (Saladin likely a natural occurrence. in disguise) to King Richard to cure an atTo start with, we might do well to dis- tack of fever. tinguish between a “talisman” and an Perhaps the most commonly seen “amulet.” The Merriam-Webster online Christian talisman is the cross or crudictionary defines a “talisman” as “an cifix worn on a chain around the neck. object held to act as a charm to avert One interesting variation of the cross evil and bring good fortune;”2 while worn on a chain is a cross that has the an “amulet” is defined as entire Lord’s Prayer vis“a charm (such as an ornaible when viewed through ment) often inscribed with a a small magnifying glass magic incantation or symbol at the center of the cross. to aid the wearer or protect The crucifix is one of the key talismans used by against evil (such as disease Catholics and has been or witchcraft).”3 So, the defiused to ward off evil for nitions, while very similar, centuries. Many of the seem to hinge on the amulet being inscribed with a early theologians of the Catholic Church referred to magic incantation or symbol the use of the sign of the while a talisman need not cross by Christians to connecessarily be so inscribed. fer or invoke a blessing and Further, the talisman can be to ward off demonic influcreated for a specific pur-

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Another talisman, used principally to protect the traveler, but also as protector against toothaches, hailstorms, and sudden death is the St. Christopher medal, worn to show devotion and as a request for his blessing. Miniature statues of the saint are frequently displayed in automobiles. The medal typically depicts this patron saint of travelers as a large man with a child over his shoulder and a staff in his hand. The staff represents him as

ences. The crucifix is still widely used as a talismanic device by Catholics. In Christian culture, it is considered to be one of the most effective means of averting or opposing demons or other evils.6 To provide divine protection of home or other buildings, wall crucifixes have often been employed.

Medals are also often used as talismans.

Two of the most common in use among Catholics and other Christian groups today are the St. Benedict and St. Christopher medals. The St. Benedict medal is one of the oldest and most honored medals used by Christians and, due to the belief in its power against evil, is also known as the “devil-chasing medal.” The reverse side of the medal, among other inscriptions, carries the initials of the vade retro satana (“Get thee behind me, Satan!”) injunction which has been used

by Christians to ward off evil since the 15th century.13 8

a protector against death or other disaster during traveling.14 One form of talisman which may not be as familiar as those presented above is the scapular, (from the Latin scapulae, “shoulders”), which is a device suspended from the shoulders. The “devotional scapular” typically consists

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of two small (generally rectangular or square) segments of cloth, wood or plastic-coated paper, a few inches in size, which often carry religious images of saints or scripture verses. These are joined by two bands of cloth or leather straps, and the wearer places one segment on the chest; rests the bands or straps, one on each shoulder; and lets the second segment drop down the back. As an object of popular piety, it serves to remind the wearers of their commitment to live a Christian life as well as to invoke the aid and protection of the Lord Jesus, Virgin Mary, or the saints as they live their lives.10 The Catechism of the Catholic Church (number 301) specifically refers to the use of holy water for “protection from the powers of darkness.” Holy water is water that has been sanctified by a priest for the purpose of baptism; the blessing of persons, places, and objects; or as a means of repelling evil. The use of holy water as a sacramental for protection against evil is common among Anglicans, Roman Catholics, and Eastern Christians.

Saint Teresa of Avila, a Doctor of the Church who reported visions of Jesus and Mary, was a strong believer in the power of Holy Water and wrote that she used it with success to repel evil knight templar

and temptations.6 Finally, the gnostic sect of Christianity called Basilideans made use of a talisman on which was inscribed a figure called Abraxas. They believed that Jesus Christ emanated from Abraxas and was a phantom while here on earth. Many stones and gems were cut with his variable symbolic markings, such as a human body having a fowl’s or lion’s heads, and snakes as limbs, which were worn by the Basilideans as talismans. They believed the name contained great mysteries because it contained seven Greek letters which, when computed numerically, equaled the number 365, which is the number of days in the year.12 Amulets Turning our attention now to the amulet, we find it is derived from the French amulette, and this from the Latin amuletum (charm).16 Just like their pagan neighbors, Jesus’ followers of the first Christian centuries would commonly resort to protection amulets to guard themselves from illness and any kind of harm. The pagan practice of wearing protection amulets survived well into 9

the second half of the first millennium, they “allow us to see how Christian with some clergy even participating.11 ways of praying and worshiping began What type of amulets did these early to influence what people wrote on Christians use or devise? Many were amulets.” Most of these were found in composed of animal or vegetable mat- Egypt and are written in Greek.1 Let’s ter. Many of these have perished, but now look at few examples of these as those remaining have been in “the presented below. form of figurines; engraved stones; and The first example pictured below texts written on papyrus, parchment, (Amulet 1)18 is a Greek Papyrus Amulet, potsherds, wood, and metal.”1 Before with citation of Romans 12:1 and 1 John looking at some examples of papyrus or 2:1-2, namely, parchment textual amulets, let’s look at an example of one engraved on stone.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothThe amulet pictured below shows ers and sisters, in view of God’s

an incised carved Coptic amulet made of hematite, dating 6th—7th century AD from Byzantine Egypt. On the obverse (front), inscriptions identify the subject of this amulet as the Woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25–34; Luke 8:43– 48). On the reverse, a woman stands in the orant (prayer) pose with extended arms. Hematite was believed to stop the flow of blood and was a favorite medium for amulets related to female reproductive health and menstrual problems.17 Dr. de Bruyn states that textual amulets are especially interesting because 10

mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (NIV)” and

Amulet 1 september 2019

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world (NIV).”

tion: “…this fifth-century amulet opens with credal acclamations, each followed by a confirmative ‘amen’: ‘Christ was born, amen. Christ was crucified, amen.

Christ was buried, amen. Christ arose, amen. He has woken to judge the living and the dead.’ In the face of these acclamations (as in an exorcism), the fever and chills are said to flee from a woman named Kale, who was supposed The second example pictured be- to carry the amulet on her person. A seclow (Amulet 2) is from Marek Dospel’s ond chant follows for added effect, comarticle where he states, “The text was manding the three powerful objects (the found inscribed on a piece of parch- ‘holy stela and mighty signs’) drawn on ment excavated a hundred years ago the amulet to chase away the chills and at the site of ancient Oxyrhynchus in fever from Kale ‘now, now, now, quickly, Egypt…Relying on the healing powers of a sacred text, this sixth-century Christian amulet from the Robert C. Horn Papyri Collection contains a redacted version of Matthew 4:23–24, where Jesus is described as ‘healing every disease and every sickness.’

For added effect, the gospel text is inscribed in five columns arranged in the form of crosses and is accompanied by a human bust of uncertain meaning. The cut-out rectangles and notched edges are doubtless intentional, too. Photo: Courtesy of Special Collections and Archives, Trexler Library, Muhlenberg College.” 11 The final example pictured opposite is from Dr. de Bruyn’s BAR article (AmuAmulet 3 let 3)7 He provides the following translaquickly, quickly.’”1 Apparently, amulets could also be ingested to treat disease. “A charm against fever, attributed to the 15th-century Florentine alchemist Bisticius, involves writing holy words on three sage leaves. The leaves should then, Bisticius advised, be ‘eaten on three days on a fasting stomAmulet 2 ach, one on each day.’”9 knight templar

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Dr. de Bruyn states that amulets often contained short common verses with Christian symbols such as the sign of the cross, the monogram of Christ (chi-rho), the alpha-omega, or the fish cryptogram. Other amulets might contain a chant with Christian terms paired with a Greco-Egyptian chant. Chants could be addressed to Biblical characters and saints, stories derived from the Gospels, the Psalms, and the closing words of liturgical prayers.1 Conclusion Talismans and amulets have been in use by believers from the early days of the Christian religion. What has been the opinion of members of the clergy regarding their use? As Dr. de Bruyn tells us, “With the spread of Christianity, Christian preachers reprimanded the faithful for relying upon amulets. They urged their congregations, instead, to make the sign of the cross or to apply water or oil that had been blessed by a priest or a monk…Christian authorities were especially severe in condemning the practice because they regarded amulets as instruments of the devil.”1 Another source19 expresses arguments against their use thus: “Whenever amulets, idols, and other magic charms are mentioned in the Bible, God’s attitude is against them and those who trust in them…When we feel the need for divine protection to guard us against physical harm or danger, we should trust in God—not some magic amulet or charm.

‘I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pes12

tilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday’ (Psalm 91:2-6, NKJV).

If we feel a need for protection from evil and demonic powers, God has something far better to offer than amulets and useless figurines.

‘Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. . . .

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God’” (Ephesians 6:11, 14-17, NIV).

Right Eminent Sir Knight Marshall is currently chairman of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar History Committee, a holder of the Knight Grand Cross of the Grand Encampment, and a frequent contributor to the Knight Templar and Royal Arch Mason magazines. He can be reached at geomarsh@yahoo.com. september 2019

Sources 1. Theodore de Bruyn, “Christian Amulets—A Bit of Old, a Bit of New,” Biblical Archaeology Review, Vol. 44, No. 5, September/October 2018, pp. 64, 66, 79.

Quotes used by permission of author and publisher.

2. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talisman, accessed Sept. 2018.

3. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amulet, accessed Sept. 2018.

4. Sir Walter Scott, The Talisman, online at http://www.gutenberg.org/ files/1377/1377-h/1377-h.htm, accessed August 2018.

5. Theodore de Bruyn, Making Amulets Christian: Artifacts, Scribes, and Contexts, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2017, ISBN13: 9780199687886.

6. http://www.crystalinks.com/talisman.html, accessed August 2018.

7. Amulet 3 (P.Haun. III 51 (inv. 312)) from Papyrus Hauniensis Collection, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Used by permission.

8. Congregation for Divine Worship of the Discipline of the Sacraments, “DIRECTORY ON POPULAR PIETY AND THE LITURGY: PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES”, Vatican City, December 2001, online at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/ congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20020513_vers-direttorio_en.html , accessed Sept. 2018.

9. Elma Brenner, “Medieval medicine: Killer or Cure?”, BBC History Magazine, Vol. 19, No. 9, September 2018, p. 27.

10. Scapular image from https://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-gifts/smallmexican-style-scapular/sku/96585, accessed Sept. 2018.

11. Amulet 2. Marek Dospel, “Early Christian Amulets: Between Faith and Magic”, 10/01/2018 at https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/inscriptions/early-christian-amulets-between-faith-and-magic/, accessed Oct. 2018.

12. “Abraxas” at The Mystica, https://www.themystica.com/abraxas/, accessed October 2018.

13. “The Medal of Saint Benedict” at http://www.osb.org/gen/medal.html, accessed Sept. 2018.

14. Christopher Heffron, “Saint Christopher: Fact or Fiction?” at https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-christopher-fact-or-fiction/, accessed Sept. 2018.

15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisman, accessed Sept. 2018.

16. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/amulet, accessed Oct. 2018.

17. Metropolitan Museum of Art at https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/ search/464456, accessed Oct. 2018.

18. Amulet 1: Greek Papyrus Amulet, with citation of Romans 12.1 and 1 John 2:1-2 | Vienna, Nationalbibliothek G 2312 at https://www.westarinstitute.org/blog/religion-freelance-experts-roman-empire-interview-heidi-wendt/, accessed Oct. 2018.

19. “What does God say about people who use amulets?” at http://www.bibleinfo. com/en/questions/what-does-god-say-about-people-who-use-amulets, accessed Oct. 2018.

20. Sir E.A. Wallis Budge, Amulets and Superstitions, Oxford University Press, London, 1930. knight templar

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What Makes a Man a Christian Knight?

By Sir Knight Larry Horath

D

uring the Middle Ages, pil- them predominantly English, French, grimages to the Christian Holy and German. Napoleon Bonaparte drove Lands and Crusades to take them from Malta in 1798, and they fled back the sacred sites in the Holy Land to Rome and remain there today. were sanctioned and encouraged by The Teutonic Knights were also esthe Church. In order to help ensure the tablished in the latter part of the 12th safety of these pilgrims, several military- century to protect and assist Christian religious orders were formed. Among pilgrims on their passage to the Holy these were three prominent groups: Land and evolved into a special forces The Knights Templar, the Knights of Saint unit that participated in the Crusades.

John of Malta, and the Teutonic Knights. Although typically confined to Knights The Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ of German descent, its numbers were and of the Temple of Solomon, com- often supplemented by mercenaries of monly known as the Knights Templar, various nationalities. When Jerusalem were founded in Jerusalem around fell, the Teutonic Knights shifted their 1119 AD by a French Knight and eight focus north until they were defeated of his fellows. Their stated purpose in 1410 at the Battle of Tannenberg was to protect Christian pilgrims travel- (Grunwald). They still exist today as a ling to the Holy Land after the success- charitable organization.1 ful Crusade had captured these lands.

Military orders such as these are Eight major Crusades were launched chivalric orders with a military compobetween 1096-1291 AD. nent, established to protect Christian The Sovereign and Military Order of pilgrims against persecution by Sarathe Knights Hospitaller of Saint John cens in the Holy Land and to secure and of Jerusalem, commonly known as the protect the city of Jerusalem. Members Knights of Saint John, the Knights of were called Knights and were often Malta, the Knights of Rhodes, or the paired with the clergy, taking oaths of Knights Hospitallers, were founded by poverty, chastity, and obedience. These Italian merchants in the 11th century to orders, based on the Catholic military protect Christians in the Holy Land and orders of the Crusades and established to establish hospitals along pilgrimage on the ideals and precepts of chivalry, routes on the way to Jerusalem. When continue into today without the milithe Saracens retook the Outremer in tary component but are based on the 1291, the Hospitallers retreated to Cy- same chivalric sense of purpose.2 prus and then to the island of Rhodes.

While much has been written and From Rhodes, they retreated to Malta portrayed related to chivalry, one prime in the early 16th century. These Knights example is that of King Arthur and his consisted of many nationalities, among Knights of the Round Table. Medieval 14

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literature is full of odes, tales, and various portrayals of chivalric deeds of noble Knights. This continues to the present day, with books and movies illustrating the heroic deeds of these courageous men and women. One source summarized the concepts of chivalric behavior as:

lated to the title.

Based on this code of conduct known as chivalry, a man was granted the title of Knight when appropriate to serve a lord and given social status with consequent reward. Historically, the order of knighthood was conferred on mounted soldiers.

As time, civilization, and technology pro1. Duties to countrymen and felgressed, mounted Knights transformed low Christians: this includes into gunslingers and swords were traded virtues such as mercy, courin for revolvers as signs of a warrior’s age, valor, fairness, protection status. Modern “Knights” of a kind can of the weak and the poor, and be likened to the soldiers of the various in the servant-hood of the military branches and the modern law Knight to his lord. This also enforcement officers who still carry firebrings with it the idea of bearms and serve, defend, and protect uning willing to give one’s life for der a modern code of conduct. Cultures another’s, whether he would may have progressed from medieval be giving his life for a poor times, but modern Knights Templar have man or his lord. the same mandates of: duty to country, 2. Duties to God: this would induty to God, and duty to women. clude being faithful to God, To be dubbed a Christian Knight, then protecting the innocent, beas now, was to assume and embrace the ing faithful to the church, becode of chivalry, serving our fellow citiing the champion of good zens through charitable words, actions, against evil, being generous, and other forms of support. In whatever and obeying God above the age, not all men were found worthy, and feudal lord. some sought knighthood for the wrong 3. Duties to women: this is probreasons. Some were born into it while ably the most familiar aspect some received a calling to service. Whatof chivalry. This would include ever the circumstance, being a Christian what is often called courtly Knight has certain responsibilities that love, the idea that the Knight have been time-tested and proven to is to serve a lady and after her make our world a better place. all other ladies. Most espeWe have a duty to study our history cially in this category is a genand role in society in order to formulate eral gentleness and graciouswhere we need to serve our various Commanderies, nations, and ultimately the ness to all women.3 world. As stated on the website of the One can argue whether or not these Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, are all-inclusive or whether or not these U.S.A., whose motto is “Integrity, Obediremain intact in the present, but the ence, Courage,” modern Knights Templar purpose here is to illustrate the ideal come from various walks of life and enChristian Knight and the expectations re- gage in a variety of activities which illusknight templar

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trate their courage and good will toward his sense of community, and enhancing all mankind while possessing a belief in the practice of good will through charitathe Christian religion. These principles re- ble actions, benevolence toward all, and main intact throughout time, regardless a reverence for God, truth, and justice. of culture or nationality.4 These age-old concepts have sustained Further explanation can be found good men through the ages, unifying, in the Constitution of the Grand Com- strengthening, and comforting them mandery of Knights Templar of Penn- according to morality and tempered by sylvania, similar to other jurisdictions, one’s conscience. which states that: Finally, to answer the question, “What makes a man a Christian Knight?”

I’ll answer with a quote from the movie “The order of Knights Kingdom of Heaven (2005) where the Templar is a charitable, becharacter, Balian, translates a Latin pasnevolent, educational, and sage loosely as: “What man is a man religious society. Its memberwho does not make the world better?”6 ship is confined to Freemasons who are firm believers The challenge made to us all when we in the Christian religion. Its became Christian Knights is to strive to principles are proclaimed as become better men by making the world widely as men will hear. Its a better place to live for all. Ask yourself: only secrets are in its methWhat have I done today to make the ods of recognition and symworld better? bolic instruction.”5 Through embracing these principles and practicing these in our everyday lives, a Christian Knight is one who continuously improves and strengthens his character, subsequently improving his sense of personal morality, improving

Sir Knight Larry Horath is Past Commander of McKean Commandery 80 in Pennsylvania. He can be contacted at one-larryhorath@gmail.com.

REFERENCES 1. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8579930/Three-most-famous-chivalric-orders.html 2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_chivalry 3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chivalry 4. http://www.knightstemplar.org/purpose.html 5. http://pagrandcommandery.org/download/recorder/Constitution-PA-Publisher2016-updates-1-27-17.pdf 6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0320661/?ref_=ttqt_qt_tt 16

september 2019

NEW CONTRIBUTORS TO THE KTEF CLUBS Grand Master’s Club

Merle L. Wade.....................................AL

Edwin S. Balao.................................... CA

W. Bruce Pruitt................................... CA

Robert T. Sewell, III............................. CA

James C. Crenner................................ CO

Jered Minter.......................................CO

John E. Zeaphey.................................. CO

Douglas N. Cohen............................... DC

Richard E. Lynn.................................... FL

James C. Huffman, III..........................GA

David A. Lovell..................................... IN

John M. Klaus....................................... IA

Don A. Springler..................................LA

Michael G. Faby.................................MD

Frederick T. Rossmark........................MD

Homer L. Puderbaugh......................... NE

William L. Walters............................... NV

Michael Cefaratti, III.............................NJ

Robert N. Rogers, III............................ NY

William H. Smith.................................NC

Martin J. Spears.................................. NC

Ronnie R. Richardson......................... OH

Richard E. Miller..................................PA

John L. Wagner................................... PA

Garland R. Harman..............................SC

Zebulon V. Morgan, III......................... SC

Robert J. Smith, Jr................................SC

Jimmy D. Davis.................................... VA

Stephen C. Jackson............................. VA

Ralph T. Woodrow.............................. VA

Charles E. Campbell.............................TX

Joseph E. Reese.................................WA

James L. Sturdevant........................... WY

Grand Commander’s Club Robb C. Mitchell................................DC

Murray A. Conrath............................. FL

Anthony L. Griffon.............................. FL

Louis H. Ortt....................................... FL

John W. Wright, Jr.............................. FL

A. J. Parker..........................................IL

James S. McNeely, IV...................... MN

Mark E. Megee...................................NJ

Robert Thornborough........................NJ

Richard W. Westergaard.....................NJ

Travis L. Brown................................. OH

Stanley E. Kopp................................ OH

Ronny D. Powell................................ SC

Andrew N. Bland, Sr.......................... TN

Charles E. Campbell.......................... TX

Frederick M. Kellner.......................... VA

Joseph E. Reese................................WA

James E. Crawford............................WV

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General Supplement

The space on these two pages is provided by the Knight Templar magazine to be used by the Grand Commanderies to communicate with the individual Sir Knights in their jurisdictions on a monthly basis. From time to time and for various reasons, we fail to receive any material from the editor of the state supplement for a given month. When this happens, we take the opportunity to offer you the information below. – The Ed.

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Gorge leading into the ancient city of Petra. Photos by the editor.

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Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. How to join the Grand Commander’s or the Grand Master’s Clubs Any individual may send a check in the amount of $100 or more specified for the purpose of beginning a Grand Commander’s Club membership and made payable to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation. This initial contribution will begin your Grand Commander’s Club membership. In addition, members of the Grand Commander’s Club pledge to make annual contributions of $100 or more. Once contributions total $1,000, the individual is enrolled in the Grand Master’s Club. Membership is open to individuals only, and Commandery Credit is given for participation.

Qualified Charitable Distributions Can Yield Big Tax Savings Congress has now made the qualified charitable distribution (QCD) option permanent for those who wish to make direct contributions from their IRA to charity. The tax law allows individuals age 70 ½ or older to transfer up to $100,000 a year from their IRA to a qualified charity. This distribution counts toward their required minimum distribution but isn’t added to their adjusted gross income the way a normal IRA distribution is. This can provide a tax savings of up to 40% depending upon an individual’s tax situation.

Planned Giving – Create a Charitable Legacy Your Foundation now has a full web site dedicated to Planned Giving which you can access from our web site, shown at the bottom of this page. So if you’re thinking of ways to make a lasting legacy for yourself please check out the tab on the home page that says “Planned Giving”. Leaving your mark on the future is so simple with a gift in your will. To leave a gift in your Will or Trust it is as easy as asking your attorney to include a sentence that says: I bequeath (lump sum) or ( % ) of my estate to: Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. (address shown below)

Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc. 1033 Long Prairie Road, Suite 5 Flower Mound, TX 75022

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Telephone: 214-888-0220 Fax: 214-888-0230 Email: manager@ktef.us

www.knightstemplar.org/ktef/ september 2019

Sir Charles Warren finds “The Masonic Hall” near the Jerusalem Temple By Sir Knight Myron C. Boice, P.C.

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hat did Sir Charles War- Empire. He was a member of the Royal ren find under the temple Lodge of Friendship 278 in Gibraltar mount in Jerusalem that and served as the deputy grand master seemed Masonic? This article gives a of the District Grand Lodge of the Eastbrief biography of Warren, his Masonic ern Archipelago from 1891 to 1895. He connections, his excavations, and how also served as grand deacon in 1887 he named and related one of his particu- of the United Grand Lodge of England. lar discoveries to Freemasonry.

Also, other interpretations of that symbol by two Masonic authors are included.

Sir Charles Warren was born February 7, 1840, in Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales. He was an officer in the British Royal Engineers and was one of the earliest European archaeologists of the Biblical Holy Land and particularly the Temple Mount. Much of his military service was spent in British South Africa. As an agent of the Palestine Exploration Fund in 1867, he surveyed Herod’s Temple and conducted excavations in Jerusalem, recording his discoveries in two books, The Temple or the Tomb and Under Jerusalem. As an agent of the Palestine Exploration Fund, his work paved the way for a new modern approach to Biblical archaeology.6 Warren was initiated into Freemasonry in 1859 and Fig. 1. General Sir Charles Warren was involved in various Lodges Carbon print portrait by Herbert Rose throughout parts of the British Barraud of London.

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He was elected founding master of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 in 1884, but due to his departure for Africa, it did not meet until his return at the end of 1885.9 In 1867, the Palestine Exploration Fund sent twenty-seven-year-old (later Captain) Charles Warren to Jerusalem.

His instructions were to investigate the

site of the Temple, the line of fortifications, the City of David, and the authenticity of the traditional Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Warren had gained a reputation for himself by scaling and charting the Rock of Gibraltar. In the course of Warren’s excavations near and under the Temple, he made a discovery with which this article is concerned, and

Fig 2. The “Masonic Hall” as drawn by William Simpson, from a copy in the Masonic journal Ars Quatour, 1888.

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Fig. 3. The “Masonic Hall” today, part of the “Western Walls” archaeological complex. Warren broke in through the hole in the roof – the dark patch against the back wall, right of center. The earth at that time was two-thirds of the way up column. (Photo KS) “Palestine Exploration Fund Blog: Adventures in the archives and in the field.” 29 December 2014. knight templar

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Fig. 5. The underground Masonic Hall West of Wilson’ Arch in present day Jerusalem. Ritmeyer, Leen. “A 2,000 year old Mikveh exposed in the Western Wall tunnels” Ritmeyer Archaeological Design 25 September 2009. there being no better explanation of his procedure, I quote the following in his own words: “We now went outside from under Wilson’s Arch and, traversing the recent Moslem substructures of the Justice Hall, got through the small hole I had made and emerged upon the continuation of the arches of the causeway to the west. …

Here was a chamber built of well-cut drafted stones, pilasters at each corner, and semicircular roof, once high above ground, now deep below it.

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Our troop came tumbling into this vault in the most intense excitement, to see this old chamber, with the broken column standing up in the centre.

Beside this column we were now digging a deep shaft and nearly had an accident with some of the party, for the vault was full of debris, which when we cleared from one side, we had to pile up on another...”12 Joseph Patrich and Shlomit WekslerBdolah, in Old, New Banquet Hall by the Temple Mount, state that Warren uncovered an impressive hall about 400 feet september 2019

from the Temple. “We believe that this structure was an elegant dining hall that dates to King Herod’s time.” Note that all of the debris was not removed until after the Six Day War in 1967 when the Old City of Jerusalem came under Israeli control. They further state that the rooms are a part of a building adjacent to the Temple which are a part of a complex with a fountain and two side halls. These two side halls were triclinia (dining rooms) with reclining couches arranged along the walls. The fountains were adorned with attached pilasters

resting on a raised podium crowned with a decorative cornice and supporting plain-faced Corinthian capitals out of which water flowed.

Did Masons actually use this hall as a banqueting gathering? The sophistication and architectural style suggests that Herod sponsored it as the above authors surmise. Its location so near the Temple Mount indicates it may have served guests of the king, visitors, or non-priestly chiefs of the Israelites who served the Temple. “The complex was apparently destroyed some forty years

Fig. 4. Masonic Hall, ( Council-Chamber), adjacent to the Temple, located near the Western Wall, and the bridge over Wilson’s Arch later built over it. Ritmeyer, Leen. “A 2,000 year old Mikveh exposed in the Western Wall tunnels” Ritmeyer Archaeological Design 25 September 2009. knight templar

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before the Temple’s ultimate destruc- ringlets of her hair while holding the tion by the Romans in 70 A.D.” Scythe of Time, (fig. 9) There is no point Now, let us return to the probable in going into the meaning of this illustrareason that the room got the name, tion except to remark on the broken col“Masonic Hall.” If you read the above umn which undoubtedly caused Charles section carefully, you will see why War- Warren, a Freemason, to remember it as ren named it Masonic Hall, a fact that is a Masonic symbol and to appropriately still a mystery to some. We are reminded name the site. The original purpose of of the figure in the third degree of the the column as found was to support two weeping virgin near a broken column arches, but what of the significance of a holding an evergreen spring of acacia in broken column?

The broken column represents death, her left hand. In back of her stands Father Time endeavoring to number the the premature death of a young person

Fig. 9. “The Beautiful Virgin of the Third Degree.” from Folger, Robert B. “Fiction of the Weeping Virgin.” December 12, 2002 Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon.

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Fig. 6 Britannia weeping over a dead hero. perhaps or of anyone. We are never really “ready” for death. It could be the death of an idea, a country, the loss of a battle, or anything lost or separated, as in the loss of Grand Master Hiram Abif who said, “My life you may take, my integrity, never!” He was killed in the prime of his life, his work unfinished. Killed by greed, ignorance, and knight templar

brutality. The broken-off part of the column is lying on the ground; it cannot be reintegrated. We deal with loss, memorialize it, and go on. I suggest the severed part is death of the physical body, and the standing portion is the soul which has been called, “immortal” and at some point will be resurrected and, through the mercy of God, rest in 27

peace in His Heaven. Death, you may take my earthly life but my soul, never, and my earthly “column” will be united with God, who gave it.

Today we see grave sites marked with a broken column. The obvious meaning is that the deceased had a life cut short in youth or at the height of his endeavors. Perhaps it commemorates the failure of an important battle and the mourning of that country. In any event, it has a universal meaning. Perhaps the broken column, as found by Warren, represents the fall of “Herod’s Temple” in 70 A.D. and later the complete devastation of Jerusalem and re-building by the Romans in 110 A.D. It was one of the wonders of the ancient world in the Near East, a work of perfection on the outside but of tyranny and greed on the inside. As Jesus said: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered you under my wings but you would not.” As a side note, the broken column is believed to be a fairly recent addition to Freemasonry, attributed to Brother Jeremy L. Cross who based it on a monument to Commodore Lawrence erected in the Trinity Church. Other than the (Florida) monitorial explanation, here are a few recent Interpretations of the broken column: Brother William Steve Burkle,8 KT, 32o, says that the broken column may have deeper meanings which align with other Masonic symbols incorporating images of columns and pillars. His discussion is based on an ancient Kabalistic concept and a diagram in the Zohar. The cardinal virtues (Plato) are shown. His discussion is quite complex so I will let him explain his thesis: “...the pillar of Beauty is broken see Fig.(8) ... this fracture symbolizes Man’s 28

separation from knowledge of the Divine and an interruption in the pathway leading from beauty directly to the crown (which symbolizes ‘the vast countenance’)...if the broken column indeed represents Hiram Abif per the explanation given to initiates, then the two remaining columns would correspond to Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre.”

Robert B. Folger, 33o, in his paper, “Fiction of the Weeping Virgin,”11 takes issue with the current explanation and attempts to link astrology with Freemasonry, a claim about which the publisher states, “The history and ritual of Freemasonry do not support this claim.”

Nonetheless, Folger states in summary, “The whole emblem may therefore be astronomically explained as follows: The virgin weeping over the broken column denotes her grief at the death of the sun, slain by the wintry signs. Saturn standing behind her and pointing to the summit of the zodiacal arch denotes that Time will heal her sorrows, and when the year has filled its circuit, her lord the sun will arise from the grave of winter, and triumphing over all the powers of darkness, come again to her embraces.” See fig. (9).

Sir Charles Warren was a pioneer in the “underground” excavation of the Temple Mount and adjacent areas. He named a vault he found “Masonic Hall” as he reflected on a broken column which stood in the center and which reminded him of the Masonic emblem of the weeping virgin standing over a broken column.

He went on to make many other discoveries. In addition to the monitorial explaseptember 2019

Fig. 7. (as above Fig 1). from Burkle, William Steve. “The Broken Column and Its Deeper Meaning.” Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry.10 December 2008 Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon. nation of the weeping virgin, others have resigned. He was involved in the Trantaken a different route in explaining its skei War, the Bechuanaland Expedition, meaning, and we are, of course, free to the Second Boer War, and the Battle of form our own opinions.

Spion Kop. A few more facts about Sir Charles He was awarded the Knight Grand Warren are, that he was commissioner Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. of police from March 1886 to November George, the Knight Commander of the 7, 1888, during the “Jack the Ripper Mur- Order of the Bath, and was mentioned ders” in Whitehall, London. He was criti- in despatches Order of the Medjidie, cized for not finding the murderer and Third Class (Ottoman Empire). He was knight templar

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involved with Baden-Powell in the creation of the Boy Scout movement. He died of pneumonia brought on by a bout of influenza on 21 January 1927 and was buried in Churchyard at Westbere, Kent, England.

Sir Knight Myron C. Boice is past commander of Coeur de Lion Commandery 1, Pensacola, Florida and can be reached at mceciob@gmail.com.

Fig.8 (Fig. 2 above) Burkle, op.cit.

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Notes 1. Patrich, Joseph, and Shlomit Weksler-Bdolah. “Old, New Banquet Hall by the Temple Mount.” Biblical Archaeology Review 43.2 March/April: 50-54.

2. Wikipedia . 2018. wikipedia.org. 10 October 2018 <hppts://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Charles_Warren>.

3. Yudkin, Gila. Underground in Jerusalem with Charles Warren, the Intrepid Mole .

2017 <https://www.itsgila.com/headliners.htm> .

4 “Charles Warren in Jerusalem.” Palestine Exploration Fund Blog: Adventures in the archives and in the field,” 29 December 2014. retrieved 18 March 2017 <http://www.pef.org.uk/blog/charles-warren-in-jerusalem-continued/> 5 Ritmeyer, Leen . “Ritmeyer Archaeological Design :Building Solomon’s Temple.” 3 December 20, 2010 <http:www.ritmeyer.com/2010/12/20/buildingsolomon%e2%80%99s-temple/> 6. “Famous Freemasons: Sir Charles Warren.” Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon A.F.&A.M. 5 May 2005. <http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/warren_c/ warren_c.html>.

7. Macdonald, Colin. “W. Bro. (Lieutenant) General Sir Charles Warren: WARREN! The Bond of Brotherhood.” Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry.

8. Burkle. William Steve. “The Broken Column and Its Deeper Meaning.” PietreStones Review of Freemasonry. 10 December 2008 Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon <http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/broken-column. html> .

9. Harrison, Dr. David, “Sir Charles Warren: Victorian English Freemason, the Search for the Temple, the Boy Scouts, and Jack the Ripper.” 12 August 2014 <http://www.knightstemplar/articles/20120910.htm.> 10. Ritmeyer, Leen. “A 2,000 year old Mikveh exposed in the Western Wall tunnels” Ritmeyer Archaeological Design 25 September 2009 <http://www.ritmeyer. com/2009/09/25/a-2000-year-old-mikveh-exposed-in-the-western-walltunnels/.> 11. Folger, Robert B. “Fiction of the Weeping Virgin.” December 12 2002 Grand Lodge of British. Columbia and Yukon, <http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/art/monument/fiction.html>.

12. Warren, Charles, Underground Jerusalem: An Account of Some of the Principal Difficulties Encountered in Its Exploration and the Results Obtained, 1876. Richard Bentley & Son, London. 376.

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Ancient Templar site in Conques, France. Photo by the editor.

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(Mrs. Steve) Sherri Kirk, president of the Georgia State Assembly, presided over the official visit of Supreme Worthy President Ms. Kim Burnett. (Mrs. Brandon) Leah Yarbrough was initiated at this meeting.

(Mrs. Willy) Sandra Carreras, president of Tampa Assembly 208, presided at the Official Visit of Supreme Worthy President Ms. Kim Burnett.

The Homecoming of Supreme Worthy President Ms. Kimberly Burnett was well attended. It was held in Columbus, Ohio, the location of Ms. Burnettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home Assembly.

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Knights at the Bookshelf By Sir Knight George L. Marshall, Jr., PGC, KGC

Dominic Selwood, Knights of the Cloister: Templars and Hospitallers in CentralSouthern Occitania 1100-1300, Boydell Press, 1999, ISBN 978-0-85115-828-0, 261 pages, softbound.

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his book is a study of the organization and activities of the Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller in the region known as Occitania, being essentially the southern third of France and small parts of Spain and Italy. Although the book deals principally with the more mundane aspects of the two military monastic orders in this particular region, much of what the author presents could undoubtedly be extrapolated to other regions of Europe where the orders had established commanderies and priories.

Most books on these two orders deal with their presence in Outremer and their crusading activities in that region of the world, with few covering the material that this book presents. What makes this book unique and interesting is that it gives us an insight into the logistical and support activities provided by the European establishments of the orders to their Knights engaged in the fighting in Outremer and elsewhere during the crusading era.

Activities such as recruitment, fund-raising, farming, shipping, livestock raising, and communal life are discussed; also covered are their relations with the society of Occitania, their interactions with other non-military monastic orders, and their relationships with the secular and monastic Church.

The author states that he chose the Occitania region for three reasons: First, both military orders accorded prime importance to it over the rest of Europe; second, the area was in constant contact with the eastern and western Mediterranean; third, sufficient sources and records remain to make the study feasible and rewarding.

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Of particular interest to this reviewer was the chapter dealing with the laity and the military orders, covering relationships with the nobility, support of pilgrims, and especially recruitment and confraternity. Another most interesting chapter dealt with the important Templar commandery of Saint Eulalia, presenting a description of the physical structure of the buildings as well as a glimpse of everyday life and activity at that rather typical commandery.

The book is well-supplied with footnotes, many of which are taken from original sources and are in untranslated Latin. This lack of translation is a shortcoming in my opinion. Also, at times the quantity of footnotes overwhelms the text on the page. There is an extensive bibliography of both primary and secondary sources at the end.

Is it a worthwhile read? Definitely, since the operation, function, and leadership roles of these two military orders outside the Holy Land and Outremer as presented in the book give us a more fascinating and complete picture of their structure and purpose apart from the fighting roles they played.

Subscriptions to the Knight Templar magazine are available from the Grand Encampment office at a rate of $15.00 per year. Individual issues in quantities of less than ten can be obtained for $1.50 each from the office of the managing editor if available. Inquire via e-mail to the managing editor for quantities in excess of ten. Some past issues are archived on our web site. http://www.knightstemplar.org.

We publish letters and articles from a variety of sources and points of view. The opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policy of the Grand Encampment, the Knight Templar magazine, or the Editorial Review Board.

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“...Go unto the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass, and a colt with her...”

Matthew 21:2

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